The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) launched its 11th annual Baltimore Oriole Winter Survey on Friday, coinciding with the Great Backyard Bird Count through February 16.
Participation Details
Lowcountry residents are asked to monitor bird feeders, tally the maximum number of Baltimore orioles sighted at once over the four days, and submit data via SCDNR forms or eBird checklists. Even off-period winter sightings (December–February) help track these birds’ northward shift along the East Coast from traditional tropical wintering grounds.
Background and Hotspots
Once rare in South Carolina winters, orioles now flock to the coastal plain, with 2025 data from 15 counties—led by Charleston, Horry, Dorchester, and Sumter—showing concentrations from Myrtle Beach to Hilton Head. The survey aids conservation by revealing population trends for orioles and other species.
